FOUR-MIDABLE ‘BUFFS’

MBABANE – A ‘trigger happy’ Young Buffaloes put Moneni Pirates to the sword to march closer to the top.

Midfielders Wandile ‘Skosh’ Shabangu and Sandile Gamedze as well as veteran forwards Phiwa Dlamini and Ndoda Mthethwa were all on target in the 4-1 thrashing of the Moneni ‘Buccaneers’ in the one-sided MTN Premier League clash at Prince of Wales Ground yesterday. They ensured the security forces side leapfrogged Mbabane Swallows to occupy the fourth spot. However, the capital city giants, who won the first round ‘carrot’ in the past two seasons, have a game in hand with Manzini Sundowns.
Buffaloes also have a game in hand against Tambuti and are piling the pressure on Green Mamba, who are six points ahead. Pirates, who scored through the seasoned Lwazi ‘Shumi’ Mamba, came to the game with their tails up after causing an upset with a 2-1 win at Mbabane Highlanders last week. After yesterday’s setback, they will have a lot to ponder heading into the league break, as they finish the first round only five places above the drop zone. They have 15 points in 13 matches.

For ‘Amathole Ezinyathi’, it was a positive response to their three-game win-less run headlined by an exit in Africa’s second-tier tournament styled CAF Confederation Cup in the past week. Despite playing at a heavy and bumpy pitch, it did not take long for Dominic Kunene’s men to get off the mark, as ‘Skosh’ was set up by former Manzini Wanderers midfielder Ali Matse to beat  goalkeeper Siyabonga Zwane from close range in the ninth minute.  Seven minutes later Ali turned provider again, as his pint-point cross from the right wing was guided in by Ndoda in a crowded box, much to the dismay of the visiting and boisterous supporters who claimed the goal was scored from an offside position. Pirates were chasing shadows, but eventually grew in confidence towards the half-hour mark. They managed to spray their usual passes across the field of play.

The ‘Sea Robbers’ eventually pulled one back against the run of play, as ‘Shumi’ shook off the defence to beat Nhlanhla Gwebu with a hard shot from close range in the 32nd minute. However, the goal did little to derail the hosts, as they kept switching play and exploiting spaces in midfield.  While the Pirates defence stuttered in clearing the lines, the lanky Sihlangu striker (Phiwa) unleashed a powerful shot deep into added time to give his side a two-goal cushion heading into the break. Pirates ran out of steam on resumption of play while Buffaloes still had an insatiable appetite for goals. However, they had to wait after the hour mark to add to their tally. It was from an unfamiliar source in Sandile, who beat the hapless Zwane with a long range effort. Moments later Phiwa was denied a brace and his team’s fifth, as his audacious effort from outside box rattled the cross bar. As temperature dropped at the venue, the game inadvertently lost momentum, but it did not matter for Buffaloes, as the damage was done. They could finish the second round on the second spot and three points behind Green Mamba, if they would win the pending game. The latter are on 30 points.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: